HAILEY Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Jim Baird and 5 co-sponsors

The HAILEY Act adds a minimum standard allowing AMBER Alerts for missing under-18 individuals when law enforcement reasonably determines they are at high risk, improving alert reac

Introduced in House

Overview

HAILEY Act of 2026 (HR 9236) seeks to amend the PROTECT Act to establish minimum standards for issuing AMBER Alerts for high-risk missing children. The bill is titled the High-risk Alert Improvement for Locating Endangered Youth Act of 2026 (HAILEY Act). It was introduced in the 119th Congress on June 10, 2026, by Representative Rudy Yakym and has several co-sponsors.

Purpose and intent

Expand and codify minimum standards for when an AMBER Alert can be issued for missing individuals.

Specifically focus on cases involving individuals under 18 and cases where law enforcement reasonably determines the missing person is at high risk.

Aim to improve timely and targeted dissemination of alerts to aid in locating endangered youth.

Key provisions

Section 2 of the bill amends Section 302(a) of the PROTECT Act (34 U.S.C. 20502(a)).

Current text of Section 302(a) is amended to add a new criterion for AMBER Alert issuance.

New subsection (3) directs that AMBER Alerts may be issued for:

(A) Individuals under the age of 18; and
(B) Individuals that law enforcement reasonably believes are high-risk missing persons.

The amendment effectively expands the conditions under which AMBER Alerts can be disseminated to include high-risk determinations and not just age criteria.

Who/what would be affected

Law enforcement agencies responsible for missing person investigations.

Emergency alert systems, specifically the AMBER Alert Communication Network.

Missing children under 18 who are assessed to be at high risk of harm or danger.

The general public who receive AMBER Alerts, as the criteria for issuance would broaden to include high-risk determinations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The bill was introduced on June 10, 2026, and referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

The text indicates a relatively targeted procedural change: a statutory amendment to existing PROTECT Act language, adding a new criterion for AMBER Alert issuance.

No additional funding, enforcement mechanisms, or operational timelines are specified in the bill text as provided.

Practical impact and considerations

Clarifies that high-risk determinations are an explicit basis for AMBER Alert issuance, potentially increasing the number of alerts in cases involving high-risk missing youths.

Provides a more explicit federal standard that could guide state and local agencies in decision-making and interagency coordination.

The bill relies on law enforcement’s reasonably believed assessment of high risk, which may introduce considerations about thresholds and consistency across jurisdictions.

Summary statement

The HAILEY Act of 2026 adds a minimum standard to the AMBER Alert criteria under the PROTECT Act, authorizing alerts for missing individuals under 18 when law enforcement reasonably determines the person is at high risk. The measure aims to improve alert dissemination and public awareness to aid in locating endangered youth while clarifying the conditions under which AMBER Alerts should be issued.